New Beginnings

Dima Devin.

“He’s in my office asleep.”

He nodded his head and we went to the torture studio. He was hanging from the ceiling by his wrists and there was a tray.

“Can we talk first? There is a reason I came to you.”

“You tried touching my son!”

“I was never going to touch him! I made the threat because you degraded me in front of my people!”

“So not only are you a pedaphile but you are a sociopathic egomaniac!”

He shook his head.

“I was in his room because I was looking for you Sophia. I sat down with him to ask where you were. Ask your son! I never touched him.”

I grabbed the saw and turned it on.

“One chance to tell us your headquarters!”

“I’m here to tell you everything! They were going to let you kill me then replace me with someone worse than I am!”

I turned the saw off and set it down.

“I’ll tell you everything about the operation, headquarters, addresses, warehouses, contacts, everything.”

“For what in exchange?”

“I want an hour alone with you. No cameras, phones, recordings, fighting, nothing. Just an hour with you.”

“How do I know you aren’t lying?”

“The headquarters are in a warehouse. 0 Silver Creek Road in New Douglas Illinois. Area code 6-2-0-7-4.”

I nodded at Leith and he texted Francis the information.

“Can you take me down now?”

“Once we raid the warehouse, we can make a deal.”

“That’s fine.”

We walked out and Leith nodded at me.

“My men are on their way there right now. They are going to raid the place then blow it up. Send them a message.”

I smiled then nodded my head.

“All of you call everyone here other than Cam and Camilia. Let them be with their daughter.”

They all nodded their heads then I walked back into the room.

“Where do you store the coke and kids?”

“Coke is at the warehouse. The kids are at my old house.”

I nodded my head.

“Tariq, get a team to retrieve the kids from his house.”

“On it now.”

He walked over to Leith and he looked upset.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I’m just not cool with you making a deal with that creep.”

“Once we get everything out of him, I’m killing him.”

He nodded his head then they all called all of our people. I sat there breathing for a few minutes then Tariq walked over to me. He sat down then pulled me onto his lap. He rubbed my back and kissed me softly.

“Everything will be okay.”

“I’m scared.”

“I know baby girl. I am too but we have to be strong for De.”

I nodded my head then wiped my eyes.

“For De.”

He kissed me again then we got up and I went to the torture studio. I let him down and took him to the conference room. He started telling me the locations and people in charge, where they live, everything. He wrote down everything and I gave it to Tariq. Leith walked up to me.

“One of my teams is arriving. They took one of my planes and swarmed the place.”

“So soon?”

“Well they were on their way here from Florida so they turned and went to New Douglas instead.”

“Alright.”

He walked away and I went to Cade. 

“Where are your people?”

“On their way now.”

“Good.”

I sat back with Guy and he gave me everything else that I needed.

“So this is everything that you know?”

“Every detail.”

“And if you’re lying to me?”

“I’m not. They want to replace me with a man that believes in conversion therapy, women are property, wife beating, piece of s**t. I know that you think I'm not much better but I am better than him.”

“The both of you are rotting in hell.”

He nodded his head.

“Well that was everything that I know. Do you have any more questions?”

“What is the name of the man that’s supposed to take over?”

“Samuel Knight.”

“I need information about him.”

“Six foot four, two hundred and thirty pounds, built, Mexican and African male, his birth date is January thirteenth, nineteen eighty four.”

I nodded my head. I wrote everything down then brought it to Leith and Francis.

“This is more than enough information. We have everything we need to take out their whole operation within the next three days without them seeing us coming.”

“Good. Make sure the base is blown up to make a statement. After that, send your men to his house and get all of the children and bring them here. We will see who’s families miss them and who are fosters.”

“Yes boss.”

I nodded my head.

“So we have everything we need. We can dispose of him now?”

“Yep. He doesn’t have a purpose anymore.”

I smiled then walked back to the conference room. I c****d back my gun.

“You lied.”

“Of course I did. Why would you take my word for it? I have everything that I need so you no longer have a purpose for me.”

He nodded his head.

“Can you do me one last favor.”

“What?”

“Take some time off with your son. He needs you right now.”

“That was my plan before you went after me. I was going to go to Monteverde, Costa Rica.”

He nodded his head.

“Beautiful place.”

“It is.”

I put the barrel to his head and pulled the trigger.

“Segador toma su alma, porque él ha hecho mal por mí.”

I walked out then ran into Tariq.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I just got rid of Guy so I’m good. He gave us everything we needed, Leith’s team is at the warehouse, then right after they leave they are going to Guys’ house and getting those kids.”

“Good. So you have a break?”

“We all do besides Francis. He’s tracking everything right now.”

He nodded his head then we went to my office. I called Frankie and told him to come to the warehouse. I sat down with Tariq and we talked quietly while De slept. I looked over at him and smiled.

“He’s so precious.”

“He is.”

“At least he doesn’t snore like his father.”

“I do not snore.”

“Oh yes you do. Sound like a lawnmower that won’t start.”

We laughed a little bit then De’Andre looked at us.

“Mama?”

“I’m sorry baby. Go back to sleep.”

He rubbed his eyes then walked over to me. He crawled onto my lap and I held him while he sat with us.

“Are you hungry?”

He nodded his head.

“What do you want for breakfast?”

He shrugged his shoulders. 

“Do you want some waffles? Or an omelette?”

“Both?”

I chuckled.

“You can’t have both buddy.”

He made a pouty face.

“Please?”

“How about this, I’ll order you some waffles with eggs on the side, deal?”

He nodded his head. We sat there for a little bit then Leith and Cade walked in.

“Uncle Leith!”

“Hey buddy!”

He got down and gave him a hug.

“Uncle Cade!”

“What’s up little man!”

He gave him a hug too then I stood up.

“Hey hang out here with daddy. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay mama.”

Leith, Cade, and I walked out.

“What’s up?”

“They stole all of the coke and blew up the building. They are on the way here with the coke and the kids.”

“And I sent a team of my men to Samuel Knight’s house and they are going to kill him and blow up his house too.”

“Perfect. Once the team gets here we are taking the coke to the storage room to hide it then we are taking all of the kids to Francis to search for their families. I’m ordering them all food and plenty of water so they can eat and drink something when they get here.”

“Sounds like a plan to me Sophia.”

“What about the orphans?”

“Well they can choose, foster care or we can give them a good home with some of the gang members here that either can’t have kids or want them.”

“Sounds good.”

“Alright. Send for me when your team gets here.”

“Okay.”

I went back to my office and sat at my desk. I opened my computer and placed an order for a ton of food and waters then ordered De’Andre his breakfast. I looked up and saw De’Andre staring at me with Tariq.

“What?”

“Doesn’t she look pretty when she’s focused?”

“Yeah, she looks like a princess.”

“I agree. But she’s a queen and you’re our little prince.”

I started blushing really hard then I looked out the door. Cade was pacing back and forth while he was on the phone. I walked out and over to him.

“Cade, what’s wrong?”

“Luke isn’t answering his phone.”

“Cade relax. It’s four in the morning.”

He sighed.

“I just wanna make sure he’s okay and so is Roxy.”

“Cade, your husband and daughter are fine. I can send a few men to check on them or bring them here.”

“Can we go?”

“Sure. Let me grab my gun and tell them where I’m going.”

“Thank you.”

I went to the office and opened my safe. I put my gun holster on and loaded my gun. I grabbed a couple knives then stood up.

“I’m going with Cade to get Luke and Roxy.”

“I’m-”

“Tariq I’m going to give you an order if you finish that statement. You are staying here with Francis, Leith, and De’Andre and wait for the kids and other items to get here. We won’t be going for longer than an hour.”

“Fine.”

He stood up and wrapped his arms around me. 

“Please come back to me.”

“I promise. Stay here and protect De. Never let him out of your sight.”

“You say that like you don’t think you’ll make it back.”

“We are at war babe. We have to expect the worst.”

I pulled away and held his face in my hands.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Always-”

“And forever.”

He kissed me and held me for a moment. When he finally let go I ran to Cade then we sprinted to my truck. I drove as fast as possible to Cade house.

“You get Luke and pack your bags. I’ll get Roxy and help her.”

“Thank you.”

“Always.”

We ran inside then he rushed to his room. I went to Roxy’s and accidentally scared her.

“Sophia? What’re you doing here?”

“Relax, we have to hurry. Your dad’s are packing their bags but I need you to pack everything important.”

“Oh god, it’s happening isn’t it? What you three have been preparing me for?”

“Yes so let’s hurry.”

I grabbed her bags from her closet then we quickly packed everything. She grabbed all of the pictures off of her walls and her desk and threw them in the bag. Once everything was ready we ran it out to the truck.

“Sit here and lock the doors. Only open them once you see the three of us.”

“Okay.”

I walked back inside and ran to their room. Luke was finishing off his bag and Cade was frantically running around. 

“Come on you two. Let’s go.”

“Coming.”

Cade grabbed the last picture and threw it in his bag. We ran outside then I saw Roxy reaching across the driver seat and unlocking the door for us. They threw their bags in the trunk then I drove as fast as possible to the warehouse.

“Is Tariq and De’Andre there?”

“Yeah we have been at the warehouse for the past hour and a half.”

“Why so early?”

“Because an enemy broke into my house and tried touching my son. We already took care of him but right now we need you two to be at safety with my husband and my son.”

Once we pulled in, Tariq came running out. I got out of the truck then he wrapped his arms around me.

“Thank god.”

“I made a promise.”

“I know but I was still scared.”

He kissed my forehead then we walked inside. We brought all of their things to my office and Roxy sat with De’Andre and they colored. I walked over to Leith.

“Where is your team?”

“Ten minutes away.”

“Good. The food and drinks should be here in thirty minutes so that gives us plenty of time to help them with whatever they need.”

They nodded their heads.

“I have all of our tech people on their way here too so Francis doesn’t have to do all of that himself.”

“Perfect.”

We went back to my office and sat there while watching Roxy and De’Andre color.

“You know she can handle herself right? She’s sixteen.”

“Absolutely not. She will stay here and take care of De’Andre while we help the kids.”

Cade nodded his head then Leith ran in.

“They're here.”

We all ran outside and watched them rush all of the kids inside. Once they brought all of the kids inside, I did a head count.

“Cade, there are more than twenty kids here.”

“This is, horrible.”

I shook my head. I walked over to them.

“Hey everyone, you’re safe now. The man who took you cannot hurt you or touch you anymore. Now I need a favor from you, can you come up to me if you have parents?”

A few kids walked towards me.

“Some of them don’t speak English.”

I nodded my head.

“Spanish?”

“Yeah.”

“Hola chicos, necesito que vengas aquí si tienes padres para que podamos llevarte a casa. Si no lo sabe, venga aquí también y lo averiguaremos.”

A lot more kids walked towards me so I smiled at them to reassure them.

“¿Dónde está el hombre?”

“Ido. Ya no puede hacerte daño. Estoy aquí para ayudarte a llegar a casa.”

Cade took them all to the tech team and I brought them to one of the back rooms so they can relax. An older kid walked up to me.

“Who are you?”

“My name is Sophia Jones-Brown. I’m here to help all of you get home and if you don’t have a home, you have two other options.”

“Which are?”

“Adopted by one of my friends who will give you a better home or foster care where I have no control over the people who are taking you.”

“Which means there is a chance we get adopted by another man like him.”

He sighed then rubbed his face.

“What’s your name?”

“Amare Smith. They killed my parents and he took me instead of killing me. I was six and now I’m sixteen. I’ve tried my hardest to protect them but…”

I rested my hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eyes.

“You did everything you could. I am very proud of you for this.”

He smiled.

“Can I hug you?”

I chuckled.

“You don’t need to ask me that.”

I slowly gave him a hug and stood there for a minute. His breathing started getting shaky so I let him go.

“I’m sorry. So far you’re the closest thing to a mother figure I’ve had in a really long time.”

“Hey, it’s okay. Look, now that I have your age and name, why don’t I take you to the showers so you can get all cleaned up and I’ll bring you a change of clothes. Then you can get something to eat and drink while we help everyone else. How would you like that?”

“That would be amazing.”

I smiled then walked him to the showers.

“Do you know how to use these?”

“No.”

He looked down.

“Hey, no need to get embarrassed. You’ve been held captive for ten years. Here, let me show you.”

I showed him what to do then told him how to use everything. He told me he understood so I left him there then grabbed some clothes for him. 

“Hey I’m going to set your new clothes here so when you’re done you can get dressed.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem.”

I walked out and went back to the room and helped them out some more. Leith walked in.

“Sophia.”

I walked out with him and we got all of the food. We brought all of the food and water to a room then handed it out. I saw Amare standing in the corner watching us. I walked up to him and handed him a sandwich and water.

“Why are you being so kind to us?”

“It’s in my nature to help. So since you don’t have a family would you-”

“I want you to adopt me.”

I was stunned.

“Miss I don’t know if I could allow myself to trust more than one person.”

“Okay, umm. I’m telling you now that I am married. He’s nothing like the man who took you though.”

He nodded his head.

“And I have a son.”

He tilted his head.

“You don’t look like you’ve had a baby.”

I chuckled.

“Well that’s very sweet of you to say. Would you like to meet them first?”

He nodded his head so I looked around and found Tariq.

“Tariq!”

He looked at me then ran up to us.

“What’s up?”

“This is Amare. He’s one of the kids we helped.”

“Oh, hey.”

They smiled at each other then I saw Amare slide behind me a little bit.

“He wants us to adopt him.”

“His family?”

I shook my head.

“I can tell he’s already attached himself to you. How about this, we talk and see how he interacts with De’Andre and how he is when we are home.”

“Thank you.”

I turned and smiled at Amare. His eyes were sparkling and I could tell that this was a good decision.

“Do you want to sit with the kids or do you want me to take you to my office with me?”

“Your office.”

“Okay.”

I smiled at Tariq then we went to my office. Roxy immediately stood up and looked him up and down.

“Easy Roxy. He’s okay.”

“Who is he?”

Amare looked at me.

“You didn’t say you had a daughter.”

“I don’t. She’s my best friend's daughter. The little one with her is my son, De’Andre.”

“Mommy!”

He ran up to me so I picked him up.

“Is he a new friend?”

“Yes he is. But you have to be nice to him.”

I looked at Roxy then tilted my head so she went outside of the office.

“Imma be right back, okay? I’m just going to talk to Roxy for a minute outside of the door.”

They both nodded their heads then De’Andre brought him over to his coloring books. I stepped outside and looked at her.

“Who is he?”

“He’s one of the kids we saved.”

“Kids? He’s my age.”

“He was taken ten years ago. He took a liking to me because I was the first female that he’s met. He wants me to adopt him so I need to make sure he’s going to be okay. I want you to watch how he interacts with De’Andre and what he does.”

“You want me to babysit?”

“Spy. You are analyzing a person and their tells.”

“Like what you do.”

“Exactly what I do.”

She smiled and nodded her head. We went back into the office and they were coloring.

“Hey guys I have to go do some stuff but I’ll be back soon.”

“Where are you going?”

“To help the kids. I’m one of the translators because I speak multiple languages.”

He nodded his head.

“They need a lot of help. Since I’m older he didn’t like me as much. He preferred them younger.”

“I know. But he can’t hurt any of you ever again.”

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive. I know exactly where he is and there is no chance he's going anywhere."

He nodded his head then I walked to the board room where the kids were. They were eating while they were being questioned then I saw one kid sitting in the corner of the room. I called Leith over.

"has anyone been able to talk to him?"

"No, no one speaks his language."

"let me try."

I walked over to him and handed him a sandwich. I smiled softly and waited for him to say something.

"Spasibo."

I nodded my head.

"Ty russkiy?"

He nodded his head.

"U tebya yest' imya? Gde tvoya sem'ya?"

"Dima."

"Gde tvoya sem'ya?"

He shook his head.

"Skol'ko tebe let?"

"10."

"Vy znayete svoyu familiyu?"

"Devin."

"Dima Devin?"

He nodded his head.

"Spasibo, poka vy yedite, ya pogovoryu so svoimi lyud'mi, i my naydem dlya vas luchshiy dom. Khorosho?"

He nodded his head then I called over all of my people. I told them who he was and my plan for him. When I told Leith what his name meant he looked at me stunned. This little boy holds power.